January 2. I think it must have rained all night. We started laundry early this morning and ate breakfast while clothes were washing. Hung them out in the filtered sunshine. We didn’t get any more rain until late morning, but we didn’t really get any sun either. My mind was concentrating on what Daddy was preaching, and I didn’t hear the rain soon enough to get the clothes in before they got a little bit wet again. I had to get them all in by myself since Daddy was still preaching. And then I had to hang most all of them up again in the house. So I was really tired by the time that was done and we had eaten lunch. I needed a nap so didn’t get out to this afternoon’s meeting.
It was 10:00 this morning before the meeting started. Daddy preached today on bad music as one of Satan’s baits for breaking up the family. I thought the presentation was thorough, clear, and well done. There were three who responded to the invitation. We were happy to see quite a few new visitors today. Matthew preached a good clear salvation message this afternoon.
Later this afternoon, Apekio came by to put some money away. We talked a while about her great burden at home, and I wept with her over Daniel. Matthew came by while we were talking with Apekio so we were able to have him talk with us as well.
Mike sang a solo special this morning - Ephesians 6:1-3 in tokples as he had learned it in school. That was a blessing.
Didn’t have time to do much work around the house today, but did manage to get a small box of school items cleaned out and reorganized to use when school starts. There is still a LOT of sorting and getting rid of stuff to be done, but I’m sure it won’t all get done before school starts. Now that the history course is completed, the biggest need is to work on Bible lessons.
This week has been a very hard week. I have felt such a heaviness and almost despair. So much sadness in my heart. Praise God that the cares of this life and the cares of the ministry cannot take away the peace and joy that we have in Christ!
Albert from Oxorotava told Daddy this afternoon that he would like to join the church here on Sunday. Daddy had questioned Albert some time ago regarding his salvation, and he seemed to clearly understand and was sure that he was saved.
“Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.” Mark 14:38
January 3. Cool and cloudy again this morning. The Lord sent us some nice sunshine this afternoon. It is raining again this evening.
The morning meeting didn’t start until almost 11:00. People were busy gathering food, firewood, etc. for the fellowship tomorrow. Some of the youth went down and got the creek ready for the baptism. Obet’s wife Sara is going to be baptized. Praise the Lord for answered prayer regarding her salvation. She has been coming faithfully to church with Obet.
Early this morning, Daddy was feeling quite weak and wondered if he would be able to preach today. He went and lay down a while and the Lord renewed his strength in time for the meeting. Daddy’s hook this morning was “bad friends” and the bait was “do your own thing; be your own boss.” He concluded with a challenge to each one to look at his own life and see if he still needs God to change him in any of the areas that had been touched on this week. Just two responded to the invitation today.
Matthew concluded his preaching this afternoon with a salvation message covering the meaning of the Gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit in putting the believer in Christ. His messages were good, with new thoughts for the believers, and a Gospel invitation for visitors. We praise the Lord that there has been a good crowd here all week.
I worked quite a bit today on the Discipleship book, which will also be my Bible class lessons for school. Folded clothes. Sorted through some of the pictures in my picture file - threw some out and organized the others into more specific categories.
“And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.” Mark 14:72